Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It is proposed to take No. 7, motion re referral to Joint Committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Teaching Council Act 2001 (Amendment of Nominating Bodies) Order 2012; and No. 4, Industrial Relations (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2011 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 7 shall be decided without debate. Private Members' business shall be No. 39, motion re provision of guidance counselling in schools.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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There is one proposal to be put to the House. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 7 without debate agreed? Agreed.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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A debate has ensued following the publication of the national health service plan by the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly. Let us make no mistake about it, taking €750 million out of the health service will have an enormous impact. There is also significant uncertainty about the fair deal scheme. Are the 1,200 new places being provided under the scheme net of the 900 places which will be moved from the State community nursing units to the private sector? A large number of issues arise from the plan and it is urgent that the House be given an opportunity to debate them. At the recent Whips' meeting, the Government Whip asked Opposition Whips to raise issues and topics for debate in the House. I ask the Taoiseach to allow Government time for a debate on the Health Service Executive's national health service plan.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I do not have any objection to the Deputy's request and will certainly discuss it with the Whip. These are things that affect every person in the country. As the Minister pointed out, this is a plan which he has approved and it has to be looked at on a regular basis starting with the first review at the end of February.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Will the Taoiseach instruct the Whips to organise a debate fairly quickly?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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If we were to have a debate next week when we will still not know what will be the actual number of staff who will leave the health service - the indicative figure of 4,500 has fallen to somewhere in the order of 3,000, although it may be slightly higher - Members would be speaking in the dark, as it were, without knowing the facts or the actual numbers, all of which will have direct implications for services.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The plan has been published and it has been announced that 3,000 staff will leave the health service. A large number of other issues arise from the plan. It makes the House irrelevant if it does not have the capacity or an opportunity to discuss the plan shortly after its publication.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I am not suggesting it should not be discussed until the end of February. All I am saying is that we will not know the exact figures until that process is over. I will make the Whip aware of the Deputy's request to which, as I stated, I do not have any objection. It is important that people should be able to discuss the HSE plan.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach is already pushing back the debate.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I and two other Deputies had intended to raise the same issue. Given that the HSE plan will be discussed everywhere, whether in pubs, dole queues, hospitals, nursing homes-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Football matches.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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-----football and even soccer matches, it would be useful to have a discussion in the House. I would welcome such a debate which is urgent given the level of public concern about the plan.

I note that the temporary partial credit guarantee Bill is on the A list. The proposed scheme is a good and welcome initiative given the number of small businesses which are struggling to secure the short-term credit that would allow them to expand or develop. I note, however, that the Government has announced this proposal on three occasions. It did so with a great brouhaha in its jobs initiative followed by an encore in the jobs budget and is doing so again in the new jobs action plan. It would be useful, therefore, to find out when the legislation will be introduced and how many jobs the Taoiseach expects to be created under the proposal.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not in the legislation.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Is the Government considering legislation to ensure banks pass on the ECB interest rate cuts to small businesses and mortgage holders?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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In regard to the partial loan credit guarantee scheme, this has been flagged on a number of occasions because it is so important. People tell me and others that they cannot get access to credit from banks. The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, had to devise a structure whereby such a scheme can operate. A tender process is required. The Bill, which will be taken in this session, is a major priority for the Minister. While I cannot give an exact date, it is very close. Obviously, the Minister had to go through a deal of discussion to get a structure that will work. Let us hope that when the legislation is introduced and passed by the House it will pay dividends for those who are involved in small and medium-sized enterprises in particular.

In regard to mortgages and the passing on of interest rates, we have made it perfectly clear that interest rates are reduced by the ECB for a particular reason, that is, to assist with the flow of liquidity and to reduce pressure on hard-pressed taxpayers and those with mortgages, and that banks should not be making a killing out of it. The question of mortgage distress is obviously of great importance to the Government. The Keane report made recommendations and an implementation group has been set up. The reason I have not come back yet is because of the complexity of legal issues arising from the Personal Insolvency Bill. I expect that Bill will come before Government for approval next Tuesday and we can then move forward with a package.

Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Has the Cabinet received the taxi review report? It is a very important issue because of all the problems relating to taxis. Would it be possible to have a debate on it after the Cabinet releases the report?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State, Deputy Alan Kelly, is dealing with the taxi report and has received it. It has not yet come before the Cabinet. The Deputy can take it that there will be a debate on it when it is approved and published.

Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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When will that be?

Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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I wish the Taoiseach well for the new year. In regard to promised legislation, this week the Taoiseach will have seen the chaotic fashion in which waste collection services were privatised in Dublin city, which is one of the final nails in the coffin of a publicly provided waste collection service. When will legislation be brought before the House to provide for a national waiver scheme for vulnerable householders like pensioners and others on low incomes which, as the Taoiseach will know, is a key commitment in the programme for Government? The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government has been very quick to bring forward legislation on the proposed household charge but I am very interested to know when this legislation will be forthcoming?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I am not sure which legislation the Deputy is talking about. I heard Councillor Breen on the radio this morning talking about the decision of Dublin City Council. I will come back to the Deputy with up-to-date information on the question he asked about a waiver scheme.

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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On the same question of the chaos in Dublin in the past two days in regard to refuse collection and waivers not being honoured-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Sorry, that is not promised legislation. You know that well and it is not on the Order of Business. Will you please sit down?

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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It is promised legislation because the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government indicated that the consultation period was now over-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Dublin refuse problem is not promised legislation.

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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-----and that when he issues the report, legislation would be brought before the House. When will it be brought before the House?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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What legislation are you talking about?

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Legislation to regulate waste collection services.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I will come back to the Deputy on that.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to ask about the Construction Contracts Bill. The sponsor of the Bill, Senator Feargal Quinn, has been working with the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, on it, consulting with stakeholders and so forth. When will Second Stage of the Bill be taken in this House?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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There is no fixed date for that. The Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, was very anxious that it would have been brought in by now because of its importance. I cannot give the Deputy an exact date but the Minister of State is actively involved with Senator Feargal Quinn on it. I will come back with a more accurate time assessment.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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Further to the Taoiseach's earlier reply, is it expected that the new insolvency legislation will be debated in this session and will it cover mortgage debt?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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As I said, it is expected that it will be dealt with and debated in this session. The Government has yet to make a decision on what the Bill will include. I expect it to be brought before Cabinet by the Minister for Justice and Equality next Tuesday.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Is there promised legislation in regard to the State withholding money from people's incomes at source to pay the household charge and other such charges because if there is, there should not be?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is there promised legislation?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy is looking well again this week. No legislation is promised in that area.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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I heard there was.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Bad rumours, I think.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Why did the Dáil sit for three hours last Friday when those three hours could have been added on to Thursday?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will you resume your seat if that is all you are going to debate? This is about promised legislation.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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It is in regard to the Order of the House which I was not able to raise last Friday because there was no Order of Business.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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What Order of the House are you talking about?

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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The way we order business in this House and the way we order Friday sittings.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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This is about promised legislation.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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It is also about the way we order the House-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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No, it is not.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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-----if I am not mistaken.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Resume your seat. Thank you very much.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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A Cheann-Comhairle, we were not-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call Deputy Ó Snodaigh.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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-----allowed to ask this question last Friday.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will you resume your seat?

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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A Cheann Comhairle-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will you resume your seat, please?

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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A Cheann Comhairle-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will you resume seat?

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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When are we supposed to raise-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will you Deputy resume your seat?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will you resume your seat? I am on my feet.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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When are we supposed to ask these questions?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am on my feet. Ask a parliamentary question.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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This is the Order of Business.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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It has nothing to do with what you are going to raise. We are dealing with promised legislation.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Before Christmas, I asked about upward only rent reviews and whether legislation would be published. The Taoiseach advised that the Attorney General said that because of something in the Constitution, it could not be done, despite her giving different advice to the Labour Party. Has the Taoiseach considered changing the Constitution to allow for upward only rent reviews to be outlawed or changed?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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There is no promised legislation.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The statutory central register of credit histories is very important legislation-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am sure it is.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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-----which will have widespread impact on many people and is eagerly awaited. Has it been discussed by Cabinet and have the heads of the Bill been agreed? When is it likely to be brought before the House? I refer to the housing Bill, which relates to voluntary housing agencies, and to the criminal justice (legal aid) bill, which is another eagerly awaited Bill, in particular among the legal profession and consumers. Have they been discussed in Cabinet and have the heads of the Bills been agreed? When is it likely that they will be brought before the House?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The statutory central register of credit histories Bill will be brought before the House next year, as will the Housing Bill. I expect the criminal justice (legal aid) Bill to be brought before the House this year.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I presume the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill will provide for the rescinding of cuts to community employment scheme training and materials grants and what was brought forward in the budget in regard to the disability allowance?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Where are we going?

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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A multitude of reviews are taking place on foot of the budget.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not on the Order of Business.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Will the proposed legislation rescind all of those measures?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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We do not deal with the content of legislation only when it will be taken.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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This relates to promised amendments to the Social Welfare Act.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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When is the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill due?

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Will this be included in the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill and when will it be taken by the House in order to activate what the Labour Party backbenchers are forcing the Government to do?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy knows, the community employment schemes are very important. He is well aware that a good value for money audit is very important in respect of those schemes. Where they work well, they work exceptionally well. The Social Welfare and Pensions Bill will taken in this session.

Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Is there any intention to amend current legislation to help protect workers' rights? I am thinking of workers who have found themselves in a very vulnerable position, such as the workers in La Senza last week, and who are at the mercy of employers who have treated them with less than respect.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of Deputy Keating's comment in this regard but there is no legislation promised on this issue.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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Given the concern about deductions at source for those who refuse to pay their household charge bill and so forth, when does the Government propose to bring in the criminal justice (fines) (amendment) Bill?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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There is no date for that yet.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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I thought it was coming in soon.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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No, that is a different civil Bill.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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It is the same thing.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Is the Deputy talking about fines being deducted at source from people?

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Yes.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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No. It has been commented on by the Minister but there is no legislation promised on it.

Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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When will the Bill dealing with personal insolvency be published? There are a lot of people who are anxious to know and who wish to sort out their financial affairs.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I have already answered that. I expect that Bill on personal insolvency to be brought before Government next Tuesday.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Last Thursday, in the Dáil-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy should resume his seat. I know what he is going to say and he is totally out of order. He had his day out on Friday and he is not going to do it again today. The Deputy should resume his seat.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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We will be putting down a substantive motion and it will then be in order.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is the way to deal with issues. Thank you very much.